Dricus du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) may not have a fight lined up for later on in 2026 as of this writing, but the top contender at 185 lbs is waiting for Feb. 28 with interest. On the last night of the shortest month of the year, the middleweights take center stage.
Seattle, WA’s Climate Pledge Arena serves as the setting for UFC Seattle. It’s the second year in a row where Seattle has played host to a UFC Fight Night. In the Feb. 28 headliner, one of Dricus du Plessis’ counterparts in the division, No. 6 contender Israel Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) collides with No. 14 contender Joe Pyfer (15-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC.)
The five-round fight at five minutes per round is Israel Adesanya’s first contest under the UFC promotional banner in more than a year after he was knocked out during UFC Riyadh in February of 2025 inside the second round by Nassourdine Imavov (17-4, 1 NC MMA, 9-2, 1 NC UFC.) Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya have a history with one another, having fought in August of 2024, with the former winning by way of submission.
Dricus du Plessis Approves of Adesanya vs. Pyfer Fight
Thursday, Dricus du Plessis appeared as a guest on Fight Forecast to discuss the upcoming contest in Puget Sound at the end of February. He believes that the fight on Feb. 28 will be a must-see affair for those tuning in on Paramount Plus.
“He’s not close in the rankings,” Dricus du Plessis said of Israel Adesanya’s tilt with Joe Pyfer. “It’s an exciting fight for fans. That just shows the quality of warrior that he is, putting his reputation on the line to fight an up-and-coming guy he doesn’t need to fight.”
DDP mentioned that at this stage in Adesanya’s career, he isn’t in the UFC strictly for the purpose of chasing the middleweight championship one more time.
“He goes out there and said ‘I want exciting fights,’” he said, “and this is an exciting fight.”
DDP Thinks Adesanya Won’t Retire Soon
When discussing the topic of Israel Adesanya, DDP says that, although he’ll retire eventually, it won’t be in the immediate future.
“I think, for any fighter, it’s really hard [to retire,] he mentioned. “I think it’s hard. We live for this, and sometimes, you need somebody to tell you ‘Listen, it’s time.’ For him, I don’t think it’s time. I don’t think it’s time yet.”
Until Adesanya retires, DDP believes “The Last Stylebender” is focused on doing what he wants to do.
“In terms of accomplishing things in the sport, that’s not where his mind’s at,” he said. “Going for the belt, that’s not where his mind’s at. It’s probably not going to happen. I can almost guarantee it’s not going to happen, because that’s not what his goals are.”
No Concrete Date for Dricus du Plessis’ Next Opponent, But April Return Looking Probable
As mentioned previously, Dricus du Plessis does not have a fight lined up for later on this year right now, but he mentioned that he’s targeting a return to competition in early spring.
“I’m going to be ready for April,” he said. “I would love to be on that April card, the Miami card. There’s no opponent yet, there’s no contract yet. We don’t have any of that. Whoever, let’s go.”
When he does fight, it’ll be his first appearance inside the fabled Octagon since a failed defense of the UFC Middleweight Championship versus Khamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) last August in Chicago. Revenge is the only thing on DDP’s mind going into his anticipated return.
“The next fight is going to be the most important fight of my life,” he mentioned. “I will win that fight and I will get my belt back.”
Final Thoughts
Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, aside from being in the same weight class, have something in common. Both men have been at the peak of the mountain at middleweight and eventually lost their seat at the captain’s table.
To hear DDP speak highly of Adesanya as the latter continues the twilight of his career is really gratifying. Normally, when you have two fighters in the same weight class talking about one another, it’s to throw verbal jabs at each other.
Not this time. The respect that du Plessis has for Israel Adesanya is admirable.